The concept itself has recently emerged in Houston, with Goro & Gun offering a non-traditional take on the style and Memorial restaurant Izakaya-Wa skewing more classic. Hori-san (as he's known) is an izakaya fan who has hosted several pop-ups at Kata with izakaya menus. Kata Robata sushi chef Manabu Horiuchi "will be a part of" the restaurant, but they're currently interviewing chefs who will be in place full-time. "The clientele really lends itself to an izakaya." "Midtown is definitely a very hot spot," Cheng adds. The company originally considered opening a similar concept in the Azuma downtown space but didn't think Houstonians were ready to appreciate it.
"The clientele really lends itself to an izakaya."Īn izakaya has "always been in the works," Cheng says. Cheng isn't concerned about competing with recently opened Japanese BBQ restaurant Gyu Kaku, saying that the new restaurant will be "totally different" than the newcomer. Owner Yun Cheng tells CultureMap the new restaurant, which has yet to be formally named, won't be 100 percent traditional. (The Chronicle first reported the development).Īt an izakaya, the drinks come first, and the menu of small plates complements the beer or sake that guests are drinking. Last week, the Azuma Group, owners of Japanese restaurants Kata Robata and Soma as well as three Azuma locations, revealed it had leased the space to open an izakaya. Ever since Farrago World Cuisine suddenly closed in July, restaurant industry insiders and diners have speculated about what would replace it.